Staff – Mangere Bridge School

Leadership Team

Principal

Bernice Mata'utia

Principal

About Me

Teenaa koutou katoa, Noo Hamoa aahau
Ko Te Puke oo Tara te maunga,
Ko Taamaki te awa
Ko Matua te waka
Ko Mata'utia tooku whaanau
Ko Lautofa Toelei'u tooku paapaa
Ko Clementine Mane tooku Maamaa
Ko Bernice Mata'utia tooku ingoa
Ko Maangere Bridge tooku Kura.
Teenaa koutou katoa.
Fa’atalofa atu I le mamalu lasilasi ua au fia. Malo le soifua maua ma le lagi matafi, malo le fa’amalosi. My name is Bernice Mata’utia and I am very proud to be the principal and tumuaki of Maangere Bridge School.

E: principal@mangerebridge.school.nz

Leadership Team

Jan Bills

Deputy Principal/SENCO

About Me

Tenaa koutou katoa
I am Jan Bills, known to all as Ms Bills, and I am privileged to be the Deputy Principal/SENCO at Mangere Bridge school. I love being a part of this rich and diverse learning community where everyday I gain new wisdom from our beautiful tamariki.
Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti aroha o tātou mahi
Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work

E: janb@mangerebridge.school.nz

Waitangi Tofilau

Acting Deputy Principal - Term 2-2023

About Me

Mrs Tofilau Tuuii Whaanau Leader. I have been teaching at MBS for 6 years.

E: waitangit@mangerebridge.school.nz

Piwaiwaka Team

Craig Rhodes

Teacher Year 0-1 (Digital Tech Leader)

Room 2

About Me

Tena koutou e hoa ma.
Ko Roseberry Topping te maunga.
Ko Te Moana Nui o te Raki te moana.
Ko te whenua o Ingarangi ahau.
Ko Craig Rhodes toku ingoa
Tena koutou tena koutou ten kotou katoa.

My name is Mr Rhodes and I am from Barnsley, England. I trained to be a teacher in England and have spent the last 17 years of my career working across all year groups and in other countries such as Indonesia and Spain. I work at Mangere Bridge School as Year 2 teacher and have 9 years of experience in Juniors.

E: craigr@mangerebridge.school.nz

Maxine Inu

Teacher Yr 2-3 (Piwaiwaka Team Leader)

Room 1

About Me

Fakaalofa Lahi Atu and Talofa Lava,
My name is Whaea Maxx. I will be team leader for Piiwaiwaka (Junior team) at the beginning of Term 2 -2023 and also Pasifika lead teacher. Born and raised in South Auckland, proud to be Polynesian and love to celebrate all cultures. I enjoy all sports, all the colours of the rainbow, dancing, music and creating footage that captures memorable events. I love being part of the Mangere Bridge community. O le tagata ma lona aiga, o le tagata ma lona fa'asinomaga "Every person belongs to a family and every family belongs to a person.” At MBS we are definitely Aiga/Magafaoa/Family.

E: maxinei@mangerebridge.school.nz

Ellina Tito-Smyth

Teacher Year 0-1 (Sports Co-ordinator)

Room 3

About Me

Ko Whakatere raua ko Te Pane o Mataaoho te maunga,
Ko Waiapu te awa,
Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua te waka
Ko Te Maahurehure te marae
Ko Ngapuhi nui tonu tooku iwi
No Mangere Central ahau
Kei Tamaki Makaurau te Tonga tooku kaainga inaianei
Ko Mangere Bridge tooku kura
Ko Tito raua ko Pukeroa tooku ingoa whaanau
Ko Roietamea Smyth tooku tane
Ko Ellina Tito-Smyth tooku ingoa
Teenaa taatou kaatoa. Arohanui, Ellina Tito-Smyth

E: ellinat@mangerebridge.school.nz

Hala Strickland

Teacher Year 2-3

Room 5

About Me

Fakaalofa lahi atu. Ko au ko Hala Strickland. Over ten years of teaching, my passion to work with children and their whaanau/family continues to strengthen. I thoroughly enjoy working with them. My professional career with children and their whanau/ families is a great opportunity to serve them in their own learning community and within their own capacity. I highly admire them when they enroll into kura, whether they are in the mainstream or are in special need, whether they are blessed with other various languages around the globe or English is their only language. Currently teaching in the Year 1 and Year 2 class at MBS has been a blessing. I have been here for six years and each year increases my professional skills. Looking forward to celebrating every successful school year and yet to achieve more! Fakaaue lahi, Oue tulou

E: halas@mangerebridge.school.nz

Jenny Jack

Teacher Year 2-3

Room 5

About Me

Kia ora,
My name is Jenny Jack or Whaea Jenny as I am known at school.
My teaching career has spanned many decades most of which have been at Mangere Bridge School. I have had a life-long passion for teaching young tamariki and have been rewarded with their many successes and achievements over the years. The staff, whaanau and community are what makes Mangere Bridge School the special place that it is. I currently share a Y1/2 class with Whaea Hala

E: jennyj@mangerebridge.school.nz

Luana Bennion

Teacher Year 2-3

Room 7

About Me

Fakaalofa Lahi Atu

I’m Luana Bennion all the way from Little Rock - on Niue Island! I am an ex pupil of Mangere Bridge school and how wonderful it is to be back! Working alongside children from a young level is a great passion of mine. I have definitely developed many attributes and abilities from years of experience being in a classroom settng. I am enjoying the excitement, learning with plenty of laughter and fun with the tamariki here at Mangere Bridge primary school. This is my WHY and MOTIVATION for me to wake up in the morning and look forward to the many surprises in store everyday at school.
2023 IS GOING TO BE A ROCKING GREAT YEAR FOR EVERYONE!

E: luanab@mangerebridge.school.nz

Aileen Jack

Teacher Year 2-3

Room 6

About Me

E: aileenj@mangerebridge.school.nz

Alan Waith

Teacher Year 0-1

Room 4

About Me

Kia Orana and Talofa Lava. My name is Alan Waith or Matua Alan for the children. I am a NZ born Cook Island/Samoan teacher who started teaching in 2001. I’m quite passionate about education. It truly does open so many doors for our tamariki. Having taught in a Year 0-1 class for the past ten years, I enjoy teaching children at this age. I love soul music from the 60s and 70s and the All Blacks.

E: alanw@mangerebridge.school.nz

Kea Team

Deepika Lingam

Teacher Year 4-5

Room 12

About Me

Kia ora, my name is Deepika Lingam. I am originally from Fiji and have been living in New Zealand for 18 years. This was a big transition for me, but I was quick to adapt to the new environment and call New Zealand my home now. I can speak Hindi as well as understand the Fijian language. My whanau has supported me during my teaching journey and today I am a proud and passionate teacher. I am an ECE teacher as well and love working with children

E: deepikal@mangerebridge.school.nz

Lyrentia Gerber

Teacher Year 6 (Kea Team Leader)

Room 13

About Me

I am a blessed and happily married mother of two, living in our beautiful Mangere Bridge community. I received my 4 year Bachelor's degree in Education majoring in Learner support and English from the University of the North West, South Africa. Additionally, I completed 3 years of psychology and have 17 years teaching experience. 2023 will be our 6th year in Aotearoa and my 5th year teaching at MBS. I teach year 5 & 6 with a passion for inclusivity and seeing all students succeed.

E: lyrentiag@mangerebridge.school.nz

Lauren Ke

Teacher Year 4-5

Room 11

About Me

Ko ālǐshān te maunga
Ko Air New Zealand te waka
Ko Zhuóshuǐ xī te awa
Ko Te Moana-nui-a-kiwa te moana
Ko Mǐnnán te hapu
Ko hàn te iwi
He kaiako ahau no Te Kura o Mangere Bridge
Ko Lauren toku ingoa
Tena koutou tena koutou tena koutou katoa

E: laurenk@mangerebridge.school.nz

Gharpreet Shergill

Teacher Year 6

Room 16

About Me

Kia ora, My name is Gharpreet Shergill and I'm new to teaching. I was born in Australia, but I spent most of my life in Mangere. I'm looking forward to teaching and learning from the tamariki of Mangere Bridge School.

E: gharpreets@mangerebridge.school.nz

Princess Hirovanaa

Teacher Year 4-5

Room 15

About Me

Toku Pepeha
E noho ana au i te poho o toku whare o Te Ariki o Takitumu
Ka titiro whakawaho ki te whenua o te Kuki Airani me Tahiti
Tu mai ra Ikurangi maunga
Te moana-nui-o-kiva moana e rere atu ana
Tangiia - nui - o - Pa Ariki te tangata e
Ko Princess Hirovanaa tenei e tu ake nei,
Tihei Mauri Ora

E: princessh@mangerebridge.school.nz

Te Hiaroa Team

Merita Hei Hei-Kukutai

Kaiako Year 5-6 (Te Hiaroa Team Leader)

Room 19

About Me

Tihei winiwini, tihei wanawana, tihei mauri ora e,
Ko Mamaru te waka
Ko Parata te rangatira o te waka
Ko Kahutianui te whaea
Ko Maunga Taniwha te maunga
Ko Waiwhero te awa
Ko Tokerau te moana
Ko Kauhanga te marae
Ko Te Paatu te hapū
Ko Ngati Kahu te iwi
Nō te whānau Hei Hei, Kingi Waiaua ahau
Ko Merita Hei Hei-Kukutai toku ingoa Nō reira tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa

E: meritah@mangerebridge.school.nz

Winona Hamilton

Kaiako Year 1-2

Room 18

About Me

Ko Ruapehu te maunga
Ko Whangaehu te awa
Ko Kauangaroa te marae
Ko Kurahaupo te waka
Ko Ngati Apa te iwi
Ko Ngawairiki te hapu
Ko nga pae tawhiti whaia ki tata,
Ko nga pae tata whakamaua kia tina.

E: winonah@mangerebridge.school.nz

Tepea Wilson

Kaiako Year 3-4 / Te Reo Maori Leader

Room 17

About Me

E: tepeaw@mangerebridge.school.nz

Support Staff

Kathleen Phelps

Executive Assistant

About Me

Kia ora I am Kathleen.I work as the Executive Assistant I have been at MBS for several years starting as a Teacher Aide and then as the Executive Assistant. I have history with MBS as both my children schooled here. I am passionate about my job at MBS.

E: kathleenp@mangerebridge.school.nz

Candace Nicolson

Office Manager/ICT Manager

About Me

Kia ora I am Candace and I moved to NZ from India quite a few years ago. I have been at MBS for just over 10 years starting as a Teacher Aide and then as the school admin. I have history with MBS as my husband and both my children schooled here. I work as the Office/IT Manager and I value my interactions with the children and the staff. I am passionate about my job at MBS and I love the fact that no two days are ever the same.

E: candacen@mangerebridge.school.nz

Colleen Gleeson

Learning Support

About Me

My name is Colleen Gleeson. My role is as a learning support and part time office support at Mangere Bridge school.My family have all attended this school. I live in the area and love the diversity of this community. During my time at Mangere Bridge I have seen many changes which has led to the wonderful environment which I now work in. Students learning is a high priority to me.

E: colleeng@mangerebridge.school.nz

Elaina Richmond-Rex

Learning Support/Kaiarahi Tamariki

About Me

As the MBS Counsellor my role is to build rapport with whanau and receive permission from caregivers so I can form a nurturing relationship with the children to listen and provide counselling support. I also work alongside professionals within the school at the Help Hui. As a team we contribute to the best outcome for the child. I also have a Teacher Aide role at MBS where I provide learning support for a wide range of children. I am also a casual crisis counsellor for an organisation called HELP. I am approachable so please contact me if you have any relevant questions or concerns.

E: elainar@mangerebridge.school.nz

Jasmine Hughes

Learning Support

About Me

Kia ora, my name is Jasmine Hughes, I was born in Fiji and have lived in Aotearoa for over 40 years. I have worked in our school for the past 7 years as part of the learning support team and have recently completed my Level 4 Certificate in Education Support. I am passionate about and dedicated to student success and always aim to make the support I provide to our tamariki both enjoyable and stimulating.

E: jasmineh@mangerebridge.school.nz

Samantha Verma

Learning Support

About Me

I enjoy supporting children in their learning by helping them with their reading, writing, and math. I also work with children who need help with their speech language support and high behavior needs. Also supporting our teacher's. I love watching our tamariki learn and grow in our supportive amazing school. I enjoy being a part of our community.

E: samanthav@mangerebridge.school.nz

Nicole Pulepule

Learning Support

About Me

Kia Orana, my name is Nicole Pulepule and I am a teacher aide here at MBS. I love being a part of our children's learning journey and look forward to working alongside you to help ensure our children have the best learning experience possible.Proverbs 22:6 Teach your child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not part from it.

E: nicolep@mangerbridge.school.nz

Annie Low

Learning Support

About Me

My name is Annie Low. I've been a Support Staff since 2019. I love working with the classroom teachers, supporting students in the classroom and at break times. I'm proud to be a part of Mangere Bridge School.

E: anniel@mangerebridge.school.nz

Vaotane Filemoni

Learning Support

About Me

My name is Vaotane Filemoni and I am an learning support staff/teacher aide l. What I love about Mangere bridge school is that it's diverse in different cultures, very inclusive and supportive towards their children's learning. My interest are ballroom dancing and sports ( Physical Disability rugby league, athletics)

E: vaf@mangerebridge.school.nz

Fatima Zahid

Learning Support Coordinator (Kahui Ako)

About Me

I am Fatima Zahid and I feel very happy and excited to be working as a Learning Support Coordinator for Te iti Kahurangi Kahui Ako. I am based at Mangere Bridge School but I work across multiple schools in the Kahui Ako: Mangere Bridge School, Waterlea Primary School, Oranga Primary School, Onehunga Primary School, St Joseph School and Te Papapa School. My aim is to continue to create success stories for our learners in the Te iti Kahurangi Kahui Ako.

I am a passionate leader with a high level of motivation for achieving the best education outcomes for all students and strongly believe that education is the key to shaping an efficacious future for our children. I take responsibility and pride to stay up to date with the current research and evidence-based education practices and have been connected to the New Zealand Education System for two decades including 15 years of experience in teaching, learning and education leadership. My teaching and learning qualifications are from The University of Auckland and I had a background in Psychology prior to starting my career in teaching. In addition to years of experience of working in multicultural schools across Auckland I have cherished many leadership roles, responsibilities and participated in many successful projects in different schools in New Zealand. I also took part in global professional development and Education study tours in Australia, Singapore and Malaysia.

Teaching and learning is my passion. I am the mother of three children. Outside work I love spending time with my family, walking on the beach, enjoying long drives, traveling to different countries, shopping, painting New Zealand landscapes, cooking cuisines from different cultures and reading about current research and teaching practices. It is my privilege to have the opportunity to make a positive difference to children’s holistic development. Come and see me, I will be very happy to meet you.

E: fatimaz@mangerebridge.school,nz

Barbara Woods

Learning Support Coordinator (Kahui Ako)

About Me

Greetings all
I am Barbara Woods and I am currently a Learning Supprt Coordinator for the Iti Kahurangi
Kahui Ako. I work across schools, mostly in Mangere Bridge, Waterlea and Oranga. My
host school is Mangere Bridge.
This is a new role with a lot of new learning over the past 3years.
I really enjoy working in different schools and meeting new people, big and small.
I have three grown up children, one of which is also in education. I love reading and have
developed some expertise over the years in literacy and inquiry learning.
I do enjoy shopping and travel especially when the two go together. I love spending time
with my family and have one granddaughter who lives in Los Angeles.
I am a keen snow skier but also love the beach having been raised in the winterless north.
I also enjoy my two Birman cats named Mac and Beth.

E: barbaraw@mangerebridge.school.nz

Ann Keesing

Speech Language Therapist

About Me

Kia Ora, My name is Ann Keesing. I am the Speech Language Therapist that works one day a week at Mangere Bridge School providing support since 2011. I love being a part of this caring school community, seeing students' communication skills develop and flourish. ‘He Tangata, he tangata, he tangata’

E: annk@mangerebridge,school.nz

Wayne Archer

Caretaker

About Me

Coming Soon

E: waynea@mangerebridge.school.nz

Release Teachers

Karina Powys Calder-Watson

Release Teacher

About Me

Coming Soon

E: karinap@mangerebridge.school.nz

Fiti Tigafua

Release Teacher

About Me

Ko Vaea te maunga
Ko moana nui a kiwa te moana
Ko ngati Hamoa ahau
Ko Saleimoa me Vailima ōku hapū
Ko Uilisone Laufilitoga toku matua
Ko Maluaisamoa Tapasu toku whaea
Ko Fiti Tigafua toku ingoa
Tena koutou katoa
My name is Mrs Fiti Tigafua and I am the classroom teacher for Ruma 10. I love being a part of Mangere Bridge School because we are all about whanaungatanga and celebrating our tamariki. I enjoy reading books, baking and spending quality time with my family.

E: fitit@mangerebridge.school.nz

Cecily Taufelia

Release Teacher

About Me

E: cecilyt@mangerebridge.school.nz

Kui Sifaheone

Release Teacher

About Me

E: kuis@mangerebridge.school.nz